Chemistry

Megan Grunert Kowalske, Chair
Main Office: 3425 Wood Hall
Telephone: (269) 387-2846
Fax: (269) 387-2909

Kristin Burns
Alex Davies
Ramakrishna Guda
Linda Hanson
David Huffman
Gellert Mezei
John Miller
Elke Schoffers
Ekkehard Sinn
Frederick Stull
Andre Venter

Students majoring in chemistry may prepare for a career in industrial laboratory work, high school teaching, or graduate work in departments of chemistry and biochemistry, and professional schooling at medical, pharmaceutical or dental colleges. The course offerings for the undergraduate degree are structured to give a broad but thorough grounding in the elements of chemistry. The chemistry curriculum should be fortified by a minor in physics, mathematics, or biological sciences.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) certified program was developed in conjunction with the chemical industry. As a result, students graduating from this program are better prepared for technical employment. Companies give preference to ACS-certified majors and sometimes offer higher salaries.

Majors and Minors

Students are required to declare their intent to be a major or minor before completing their credit hour requirements. This is done by filing a declaration of major/minor slip with the advisor.

To qualify as a major or minor in chemistry from Western Michigan University, the student, including the transfer student, must complete a minimum of their last 14 credit hours (major) or 7 credit hours (minor) in the Chemistry Department. The courses taken for credit for a major or minor must include at least one that contains a laboratory experience at WMU.

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each chemistry course counted for a major or minor. Students who have chosen a chemistry major, will satisfy the Arts and Sciences Liberal Education Curriculum (LEC) Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing ENGL 4090: Writing in the Sciences.

Enrollment in 5000-level courses requires Junior standing, 12 hours of work in chemistry and department approval.